And although I am something of a night bird, it is not myself to which the title points, but to one of the great denizens of night flight, the owl.
Specifically, the Tawny Owl. I was standing in the kitchen a couple of nights before Joni's visit when I heard it. At first, I thought I was imagining it, for as soon as I stopped what I was doing, it stopped toowit-toowooing! Quite some minutes later, as soon as I started moving, the call came again. I did eventually manage to get Merlin operating at the same time as it was calling to confirm which species was tucked away in the giant Beech tree in the backyard (for it must have been that close for the app to pick it up through the window).
This gave me quite a thrill. Although considered a common species of owl in the UK, the population has dropped by over forty per cent throughout this century, resulting in the RSPB now categorising the status as amber - i.e. of conservation concern.
They are fairly territorial, so it is entirely possible that this individual will make itself heard again, although the recent weather, as mentioned in yesterday's post, is likely to have prevented too much activity. I shall be listening out, though! Here's a clip with the call I heard (recording details attached).
There can be differences in calls, too. As this is also First Friday, here's a wee film with some lovely photos and the sounds of both male and female having a conversation...
